Folding machine



W. J. NEIDIG FOLDING MACHINE Juiy 9, 1935.

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July 9, 1935.

w. J. NEIDIG FOLDING MACHINE Filed July 10, 1929 Z Sheets-Sheet 2.I/IIIIIIIII/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Inven L01:

Witnesses Jul 9, 1935. I w. J. NElDlG 2,007,209

FOLDING MACHINE Filed July 10, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 gasses: 0

WM W L 0 Patented July 9, 1935 OFFICE 1 FOLDING MAomuE I WilliamJonathan Ill,

- Application July 19,- '1929, Serial No. 377,255 zsclaims; (cit-10 6s)The invention relates to mechanisms'designed to fold sheets'of cut paperor similarjmateiial, more-especially sheets of varying size, such ascommonly require the-folding mechanism .tobe frequently adjusted, as inusual commercial job folding or oflice folding.-

The invention comprises anumber of features novel'in' the art. Theseinclude a novelunode of operation,'of:especial advantage insome uses Vis because of the ease with which the position on the sheet oflongitudinal folds maybe varied, including the usual parallel foldsemployed in folding letters or the like. This aspectof the invention isillustrated not only by the embodie' ments described herein, but by therelated em bodiments described and specifically claimed'in my UnitedStates Patent No. 1,838,106, dated December '29," 1931, and' infmy co-pending applicae tion, Serial Number'582,l42, filed December-19, 193 1,the latter containing a clear explanation of the relationship existingbetween theseseveral embodiments, although the invention is notlim itedto'thes'e" embodiments; 1 j Other features of the invention are likewisefurther illustrated in these related embodiments; in some cases byspecificwariations that are specifically claimedin the said patent orsaid co-pending application. These include *novel gated constructionsuseful in various paper fo1d-' ing; forwarding", pressing anddischarging opera tions. They also include novel adjusting means, tofacilitate changing the position of certain folds upon the sheet. j vThe invention includes a-novel' gated construction useful in enteringsheets intended to be passed through the first-stage folding mechanism'without being'folded thereby. I The general objects of my=invention are.to supply an improved foldingmechanism fofjob and ofiice folding,embodying such of these features as may be found desirable for the useinmind, thereby enabling the operator to make quicker and more convenientadjustments, and

r to make these even while the'maohineis run- 'ning, andwithoutthe'possession of 'anyfl'great skillon his part."

I attain my several objects by the mechanism illustrated in the"accompanying drawings, in which-' Figures 1 and 1 constitute together anend view of one of the embodiments of myinvention,

Fig. 1 being a continuation; downwardly of Fig:

1, the sheet being shown advanced to a posidirection f its movement;Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view looking downward, on the line A A,showingthe transverse position ofthe sheet at same, stilllookingdownwardon the line A-A, after the sheet has been slightly advanced,showing theforming upward it has received from that time; Fig. 3 is adiagrammatic view of the a right-hand and left-hand forming members;Fig.

'4i is a detail viewof the same, showing the construction of certain ofsaid members; Fig. 5 is a view looking downward on the, line B-B, butwith the sheet still further advanced; Fig. (i is what would correspondto a plan view of portions of Fig. 1 if the down-standing mechanismwereshown in horizontal position, the left-hand and right-handmembersthereof corresponding to thelft-hand and right-hand members. ofFig. 5;"Fig. 7 is a; detail view, partly brokenaway, of a transversefolding roll shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a View looking downward on theline C C, Fig. 1, showingc'ertain details of construction; Fig. 9 is aView in section of the transverse folding rolls shown in Fig. 1; Figs.10, 11 and 12 illustrate diagrammatically the action of'arecessed'transverse folding roll when the sheet is required to beentered without receiving the transverse fold; Fig'.i13 is an end viewof a modificationjof the mechanism shown in' Fig.7 1; Fig. 14'illustrates details of construction of the same. In the embodiments ofthe invention shown in the'idrawings use is made of a usual foldingknife I, attached upon arms 2, which are in turn attached upon shaft 3journaled in end frames 4. The knife may be operatedin any approvedmann'erf in the drawings it is operatedby a gear 3 wheel 1 havingattached upon it a earn 8, through camf roller 9 on'arm 2. v The camstrikes it down-% wardly in such manner as to carry a sheet lying acrossits path into the bite of transverse fold ing'rolls 5 and6,".spring-pressed together, which thereupon pull it between them. Saidrolls are connected-with toothed wheel 1 through toothed wheel- I! andmeans later described, and are rotated thereby an even number of timesfor each revolution of wheel, "I. The knife may be re-v turned into theposition shown by usual means; such as spring action.

I depart from common practice in the. construe-,- tion of foldingrollsiand 6 by Supplying either one or both with a longitudinal recess :2. The

purpose of the recess is to act as a kind of gatewaypermitting'the knifeto introduce diflicult stock between the said rolls, such as thick stockor stock already folded or stock having a finish difilcultfor the rollsto grasp. The action is shown clearly in Fig. 9. The recess constructioncan be used also to soften the fold to resemble the fold done by hand.It also facilitates the withdrawal of the knife, rendering its use withsmall rolls less exact in depth of stroke. It also facilitates theentering between the rolls of an unfolded sheet-edge. By using arecessed roll the sheet can be positioned forwardly as in Fig. 10 to apoint permitting the leading edge when bent downward by the knife toreach the point of closure between the rolls. If a roll is used notsupplied with a recess, either the downward-carried end of the sheetwill meet with interference.

from the roll and receive a fold, or the sheet must be advanced afterthe end of the-sheet is carried past the contour of theroll. ,In either,case the sheet is not very certainlyentered. It will be understood thatsome uses ofmy invention will not require such a recess, and in suchcases it will not be employed.

It will be noted that I prefer to employ a roll or rolls constructedlike that shown in Fig. 7, in which the recess or gateway l2 does notextend quite to the end'of the roll, thepurpose of such constructionbeing toenable the solid or unrecessed ends of the roll toact asbearers, so that v the revolving rolls will run smoothly together, in-

stead of being spring-pressed into a trough at each revolution, but I donot limit myself to any precise means of controlling their approach toeach other.

It will be noted also that the use of such a recess does not materiallyaffect the action of said rolls in their function of sheet-advancingmeans, since the width of the recess is too slight to affect theprogress of the sheet materially, and such effect as obtains is exertedevenly, and furthermore, before the roll completes a revolution topresent the recess again to the sheet, the leading edge of the sheetwill have passed upon sheetadvancing wheel 4|, to be described later.The progress of the sheet may be regarded as con tinuous, in such acase, and is so in fact.

Folding rolls 5 and 6 just described are carried upon shafts l3 and I4journaled in end frames 4. Attached uponsaid shafts are gears, 15 and I6meshing together, connected through gear l1 with gear 1, journaled uponpin III, which is driven by gear IS on shaft 20, journaled in end frames4.

The mechanism described is that which I prefer to employ for making atransverse fold, that is to say, a fold at right angles to the'directionof progress of the sheet. I will now describe the means shown in thedrawings. for making one or more parallel folds. 'By'afparallel fold Imean a fold parallel with the direction of progress of the sheet, andnot necessarily one parallel with another fold. e

I prefer to use sheet-advancing means giving the sheet a substantiallycontinuous progress, and folding means operative while the sheet ismoving, although I do not in all cases limit myself thereto. l

I prefer to use revoluble means for making said one or more parallelfolds, but the invention is not limited to revoluble means. i In theembodiments of my invention shown in the drawings I employ means formaking two parallel folds, said means being revoluble, and operatingwhile the sheet is in motion. one of said folds, that made by themechanismarbitrarily shown inFig. 5 and other figures as positioned atthe left-hand side of the drawing, will be referred to hereafter astheileft-hzind fold, and

the mechanism making it as the left-hand folding unit. The other of saidfolds, made by the mechanism arbitrarily shown in said figures aspositioned at the right-hand side of the drawing, will be referred tohereafter as the right-hand fold, and the mechanism making it as therighthand folding unit. The two folds are made independently. Either maybe begun first and either completed first. In the present embodimentsthey are begun simultaneously; but the right-hand fold is shown ascompleted first, and the left-hand as lapping thereover and completedlast. It will be noted that either the left-hand or the right-hand foldmay be made alone, using the mechanism shown in the drawings, at thewill of the operator.

The left-hand folding unit, shown in end view in Fig. 1, will first bedescribed.

The framework of said unit consists of two similar frame 'pieces23, heldat a suitable distance apart by shouldered stays 25. The right-handfolding unit employs a similar framework. Frames 23 are suspendedslidingly at two points upon transversely extending guides or rods 24,attached at either end upon end-frames 4, in the case of both units. Anupwardly extending frame extension 52 is supported on frames 23 by meansof shouldered stays 53 in both cases, from the nearer side or end-frameside in the case of the left-hand unit, and from the further orend-frame side in the case of the other.

Journaled in said frames 23, both of the lefthand folding unit and ofthe right-hand (see Figs. 1 and 1 are the short shafts 26, 21, 28, 29,30, 3| and 32, and a longer common drive shaft 20, previously describedas journaled also in endframes 4. Said shaft 20 contains a keyway 35running longitudinally thereof, adapted to receive a sliding key 34attached upon a sliding miter gear 36 in the case of both units. Mitergear 36 meshes drivingly with miter gear 33, attached upon shaft 31,which is journaled at 38 upon frame23. Miter gears 39 attached upon saidshaft in turn mesh drivingly with miter gears 40 attached upon shafts26, 21, 28, 29, 30, 3| and 32. Similar driving means between said shaftsand drive shaft 20 are employed in the mechanism of the right-hand unit.It will be understood that the several toothed wheels shown in thedrawings are of related dimensions so as to give the parts driventhereby a timed operative relationship. Thus in the drawings rolls 5 and6 are geared to rotate six even times for each revolution of toothedwheel 1, and therefore for each stroke of knife I, and shaft 20 and itssupported wheel 4|, and the gear-driven revolving parts on separableframes 23, including wheels 42, 44, 46, 48, 49, 50, 6 0, 62, 64, 65, 66and B1, are geared to rotate three even times for each revolution oftoothed wheel 1. The construction described has for its purpose themaintaining of a timed relationship between the operative members ofsaid units, and between said units and the mechanism previouslydescribed. It is chosen for its convenience. Other connecting devicesfor the purpose are shown in Fig. 13. The invention is not limited toany of these;

The revoluble members more directly concerned with the foldingoperation, as shown in the present embodiment illustrated in Fig. l, inmost cases havea plurality of functions, divided betweensheet-advancing, forming, guiding and controlling the sheet, and layingdown the completed fold.

v The flrstof these to be described is wheel 4|,

' slightly in their, timing, and

which is keyed slidingly upon. shaft 29land'islides with frames 23thereon,xmaintaining.'meanwhile its lateral position withrespectiitoirsaid frames; Its functionis. to vadvanceand control thesheet, or assist in doing. so, cooperating with spring wheel 58, to bedescribedlatenand othersheet controlling members; The right-hand unit issuppliedwith a similar wheel, similarly connected. The second ofvthesemembers to be described is wheel t2, attached upon shaft 26. It issupplied at the folding line with a folding. or forming flange 63, saidflange being partly cut away, the

open portion acting as 'a kind of revoluble gate way to permit theleading edge-of the sheet topass upon the sheet-advancing portion ofsaid' wheel time, the. chance of displacement being thereby lessened.Wheel 44 is attached'uponishaft 21. It too is supplied with a formingflange, in'di' cated, at 45, that is partly cutaway in a gateway, topermit the leading edge of the sheet to passflhpon the sheetadvancin'gportionf said wheel in advance of action by the flange. Byemploying such gated means the sheet ,is securely held by both wheelsduring the forming action of the flanges. Wheels 42 and M and theirdriving connections are repeated in the right-hand folding unit, exceptthat flanges 43 and 1-5 are in right-hand position with respect to saidwheels, rather than in left-hand. 1

Up to this-point both the right-hand and left.- hand units actsimultaneously in forming up the sheet along the folding line; butinasmuch as the right-hand unit completes its fold in advance of theleft-hand, from this point the revoluble members mounted opposite eachother differ action. a i

I will continue to describe the left-hand unit;

Wheel Mi thereof, attached upon shaft 28, isfsupplied with a continuousflange A? in line with the flanges previously described, that. is tosay, on the operatingjiri the right hand folding unit, and a furthersimilarwheel 48 upon shaft 28 opposite wheelAfi-(Fig. 6). These wheelsextend beyond the folding line in each case, so as to serve as bearersto support cooperating'wheels 69,6! and 62, on the left-hand unit andwheels 64,. E5, 86

andGl on the right-hand unit. Wheels iiiLxSi, 52, 66 and E? are drivenrespectively from shafts 29, 30, 3E, on the left-hand unit, and129 and28 on the right-hand, through miter gears 8,

one member of which is attached to said shafts and the other torip-standing axles i 33 with which said wheels are supplied, said axlesbeing journaled in an extension of frame 23. Wheels 64 and $5 on theright-hand unit do not require a timed drive, but are driven by frictionby the 7 wheels upon which they rest; The timed mem- 'upat the foldingline.

therefore n their folding units suspended thereon.

wheels without being acted upon foldingly, somewhat in the mannerdescribed in connection with wheels 42 and :44. Said members extend pastthe folding line in a position approximately horizontal to the sheet,except where they are gated l.

or cutaway, and are spring-pressed downwardly upon the wheels shown ascooperating therewith (Fig. 6) by means of springs 69 (Fig. 5), as arealso the untimed wheels 64 and 65, which merely act sealingly upon analready completed fold an assist in advancing the sheet. I Othercooperating structure will now be described Frame extension'EE, alreadyreferred to, has attached upon it an inwardly extending member 54,supported at the inner end by .yokepiece 55 sliding upon'shaft 56, saidshaft being attached at eitherend mend-frames Me. ber 53 serves tosupport piece 51 attached upon it, in whichare journaled spring-pressedwheels 53, each supplied with an axle 59. The spring pressure isconveniently supplied by making said wheels of a resilientmaterial likethin spring steel. I. The purpose of the said wheels is to hold thesheet against wheels ti, 4? and M, soas to cause it to partake of theirmovement, and to act as a support over which the sheet is formed Iprefer to employ a revoluble support such as this behind the forming upmeans, but stationarytongues or guidestraps iii, attached upon piece Blby means of blocks H, act to some extent as a support over which thesheet is'formed up. Said straps are preferably made of smooth springsteel. Th y are shown in Figs. 4 and 6 as recessed over the apex o f theseveral wheels engaging the sheet so as to avoid interference therewith.i It is-to be noted that the edges of such recesses are slanted awaysharply so .as to act guidingly uponthe 1 leading edge of the formed-upsheet without obstructing its progress. 1

Other forms of wheels having the functions of wheels 56 are shown inFig. 13, and other forms of spring pressure engaging said wheels withthe sheet. The invention is not limited to any particular form ofeither. I To assist in supporting the sheet in its plane of movement Iattach a support or paper table 185 upon frames Q23, said paper tablebeing pierced to permit-the various revoluble members with which-itwould interfere to project through it. I also attachlan intermediatepaper support i536 upon rods2 i, at a point midway between the Whateverthe lateral position of said unitasaid paper support will lie midwaybetween them. ,1 i

It will be understood that the structure just described, with theexception of midway. paper support 35, is described also with respect.to the right-hand folding unit.

The stacking means shown in' the drawings is no part of my invention,which in practice will use any approved stacking means found mostuseful. As shown in the drawings.

Shaft 32, driven as described, has attached upon it bevel gear 12meshing with bevel gear 53 on u'pstanding shaft i i, journaled in frameex,- tension 15; ShaftM is preferably. positioned near the folding line.Carried upon it bymeans of an attached collar is helical member l6 thatextends past the folding line in contour, said member being :shaped andtimed to present an uninterrupted opening or gateway to the leading edgeor'end of the folded sheet. In thedrawings,'it isshownturned ingatedposition, ready to act liftingly upon such a sheet. The sheet isbrought to a stop by tray 11. Upon the further revolving of said helicalmember the sheet is lifted out of the paper path against the sheetspreviously folded, indicated at 18. A side guide 19, like tray 11attached upon frame 23, cooperates in holding the folded sheets inconvenient position. The tray and guide "will have any desired capacity,and after they are filled the folded sheets may pass out upon a tabletop or other receptacle. Guide 79 may be constructed to bear lightlyagainst the sides of the folded stock. Said structure is repeated in therighthand unit.

The right-hand and left-hand units described are slidable laterally uponsupports 24 both with respect to end frames 4 and with respect to eachother. Their separable relationship is provided in order that theoperator may vary the relationship of his parallel folds. It will benoted that they may be separated to an extent permitting the passage ofa sheet upon them without folding. In practice single folds madetransversely are often required. It will be noted also that they can bemade to act foldingly along a single parallel folding line, instead of adouble. Such use is also frequently required in commercial practice.

Said separable folding units are preferably held in lateral position bymeans of the following devices:

' Extending transversely between end frames 4 and journaled therein arethreaded shafts 80 and 8|. The threaded portions of said shafts arepreferably given a right-hand thread upon one side of center and aleft-hand thread upon the other. Said threads correspond in pitch in thecase of both shafts. Said threaded shafts engage suitably with threadedholes in frames 23, both on the right-hand and left-hand units, so thatwhen rotated similarly either shaft will give the respective units thesame lateral movement. I secure identical rotation for said shafts byattaching upon each a sprocket wheel 82 identical in size and connectingthe two by means of chain 84. A hand wheel 85 attached upon shaft 8|furnishes a convenient handle for rotating the shafts.

As will be seen, said adjusting means will act always to preserve theparallel relationship between the right-hand and left-hand foldingmembers without care on the part of the operator. As will be seen also,the use of said adjusting means will not in any way affect the foldingaction of the units. In commercial practice this will be found a greatadvantage.

The action of the mechanism will be described when folding a commonletter. The sheet to be folded, indicated later at HJl, is laid inposition across the transverse folding rolls 5 and 6, knife I carriesthe same between said rolls, the sheet is folded thereby, and it is thenadvanced to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A moment later flanges43 and 45 act synchronously to form up the sheet as shown in Fig. 3.Upon being further advanced the sheet is acted upon by gated sealingwheel 51 (Fig. 6) of the right-hand folding unit, and the right-handupstanding portion is laid down thereby. The left-hand upstandingportion remains standing during said action. A further advance presentsthe leading end or edge of the sheet to gated wheels 60 and 69. Wheel 69of the right-hand unit immediately proceeds to complete or seal theright-hand fold, but gated wheel 60 of the left-hand unit permits theupstanding left-hand fold to remain as it isfor the moment without beinglaid down or sealed. Said upstanding portion of the sheet is carriedforward past gated wheel 6| without being acted upon and the leading endpresented to the recess in gated wheel 62. The purpose of the delay isto permit the right-hand fold to be securely laid down after thetrailing end of the sheet has passed the interference of wheels 58 andtheir supports. The sheet during this time is advanced by the right-handsheet advancing members, and. it is guided by tongues or guides 10. Uponarriving at gated wheel 62, however, wheels 60, GI and 62 simultaneouslyact upon the upstanding sheet to complete the fold thereof, laying itdown upon the right-hand fold already completed. The folded sheet isthen still further advanced until its leading end is presented to theopening or gateway in the timed helical member 16, and it is brought toa stop by tray 11. Helical member 16 thereupon acts to raise it from thepaper path and add it to the stacked sheets already folded.

The modification shown in Figs. 13 and 14 has a similar action; butinstead of employing two suspended folding units the nearer or left-handunit is fixed with respect to the end frame. Tilted wheels 58 arereplaced in this embodiment by wheels 90, spring-pressed by the thinnerresilient portion 9| of their support against the gated flanged formingwheels already described. In this embodiment a further forming wheel 92is added to the series, so that three wheels act fcrmingly upon thesheet in synohronism instead of two. The drive in this case makes use ofsprocket wheels 93, attached upon said gated wheels, and. upon the driveshaft 20" driving the same, and of sprocket wheels 94 attached upon thegated sealing wheels 97. These are indicated at their pitch line, andthe chain 95 connecting them is indicated by a dotted line. Said chainalso acts upon sprocket wheel 96 timingly, and through a cam thereonoperates the folding knife.

The gated sealing wheels 9'! on the left-hand unit are shown in contourin Fig. 13. The corresponding gated sealing Wheels 98 on the righthandunit are indicated in Fig. 14. All of said gated wheels, whether forforming up the sheet or for completing the fold, may be regarded asjournaled upon shouldered pins, attached in the case of the left-handunit upon the end frame, and in the case of the right-hand unit upon thesuspended laterally movable sliding frame supporting the mechanismthereof. Cooperating wheels 99 are similarly. supported upon shoulderedpins. The slight spring pressure required is conveniently furnished bythe natural resiliency of said pins. Bearers H0 are indicated to causesaid wheels to run smoothly past the recesses.

It will be noted that in the case of this modification the revolublemembers are given rotation upon parallel axes. It will be noted alsothat the operative connection between the left-hand and right-handfolding units is not supplied by a common drive shaft but by individualinwardly projecting pins I00 upon the left-hand members, engaging inholes I 0| upon the right-hand members. Said holes are somewhat largerthan the pins. Springs I02 act to maintain the pins against the workingfaces of the holes. It will be noted that I operate the transversefolding 'rolls likewise 'througha chain and sprockets, 'ina angle upwardat IE3, the purpose of which is to.

' folding line and having a working edge over which a sheet may. be bentin a fold by the wheel.

devices; means for advancing the sheet intothe control of the wheeldevices; and timed means for causing the wheel devices to engage againstthe sheet in afolding' action; I

2. In a folding machine, in combination, a tongue-like forming member,gated wheels adapted to fold a sheet thereover, and means giving saidwheels a timed rotation so that the gate-,

ways therein will permit the'advanceofthe shee for delayed folding bysaid wheels.

3. In a" folding machine, in combination, tongue-like forming members,gated wheels axled perpendicularly thereto, and actu'atingand,timing'devices to render said wheels effective in folding a sheet oversaid forming members. A

4;. In a, folding machine, in combination; wheel devices over which asheet may be folded; folding devices operable to fold a sheetthereover;

means for advancing the sheet into the control of said folding devices;and means for giving the folding devices a timed action against thesheet eifective to fold it. oversaid wheel devices. 1

5' In afolding machine, in combination, form? ing wheels operative atthe folding line. gated wheels adapted to bend a sheet thereover; and,means giving said gated wheels a timed rotation effective to permit theadvance'o'f'the sheet into the control thereof prior to the foldingaction.

6. In a folding machine, inicombination, forming wheels, gated wheelsadapted to bend a sheet over the working edge thereof, a tongue-likeforming memberfgated Wheels adapted to fold a sheet thereover, and meansgiving the said several gated wheels a timed rotation effective topermit the advance of the sheet for folding thereby. V

7. In a folding machine, in'combin'ationi revolvable members adapted tocooperate in fiattening a fold entered longitudinally between them,including a wheel aXled perpendicularlyto the paper path and a wheelaxled horizontally to the paper path; and means adapted to advance afolded sheet between said wheels for such foldflattening.

8. In a folding machine, in combination, a timed reciprocating knife;transverse folding rolls, one thereof supplied with a laterally extending recess or trench adapted to receive the leading edge of thesheet when the same is directed thereinto by said knife, and to carrythe same between said rolls without interference and Without requiringan intermediate advance of the sheet; meansgiving said recessed roll arotation timed to present the recess therein to the sheetedge; andfoldingmeans for folding the sheet entered thereby.

, in unison.

9; In 7 a folding. machine, "in? combination, a. timed ,reciprocatings'knife; 1 transverse folding rolls, one thereof supplied with alaterally. extendingtre'nch' or recess adapted "to receive the leadingedge ofa sheet when'depressed thereinto by said knifa andto permit thesame to change its angular position-thereinfso as to carry the 1 sameseeurely 'and'without interference between p i said rolls foradvancing-in usual course by them thereafter; means rotating: saidrolls, including means timing the rotation of said recessedroll; bearer:means for controlling the approach of said rolls at said reeess;' andfolding means effective to fold a sheet ent'ered ther'eby.

1 0. 111 a folding machine," in combination; a timedreciprocating-knife; timed transverse folding rol1s, '=each suppliedwitha laterally extending trench or'recesa-said'recesses adaptedto'cooperate at the working edge of the knife to soften the foldproduced thereby, and to facilitatethe withdrawal thereofjandthecooperating edges thereof toact strippihgly upon the: knife in advanceer closure fthere'omwithout affecting the course of the sheetthereafter; bearers for controlling theapproach ofsaid rolls. at saidrecesses; and" folding meanseifective' to produce further folds' uponthe sheet entered thereby. llQIrr a folding 'machine, in combination,separable" folding devices, including tongue-like "forming'membe'rs'over which a sheet may be folded; threaded means for.adjusting the separa-- tion' ofsaid'de vices; and s hand-wheel connectedsaidwheels in unison:

l3. In'afolding mamma s combination, separable folding devices;including tongue-like forming inembers,' and'timed devices adapted tofolda sheet-thereover; the operating means therefor; a plurality ofthreaded shafts for con.- trolling the separation of said separabledevices; toothed sprocket wheelsattached thereon; and a connecting chainadapted to rotate said wheels 14. In a folding machine, in combination,laterally separable supporting devices; folding devices thereon, andtheir operating connections; a plurality of threaded shafts'forcontrolling the separation of said supporting devices; sprocket wheelsattached thereon; and a chain for syn-. chronizing the rotation of saidsprocket wheels.

15. In a folding 7 machine, in combination, wheels supplied with gatedflanges, forming wheels pressed yieldingly thereon over which a sheetmay be bent by said flanges, means for timing the rotation of saidflanged wheels, and

means for folding down the sheeton the folding line established thereby.

16. In a folding machine, in combination, a timed reciprocating knife;spring-pressed rolls rotating in time therewith, each supplied with acooperating lateral recess; rightand left-hand separable frames;rightand left-hand separable forming devices connected thereto, saiddevices comprising wheel members over which a sheet may be bent to starta fold and tongue members over which the sheet may be laid down to foldthesame; rightand left-hand movable devices on said separable frames,adapted to act intermittently against the sheet to' fold it over'saidforming devices, said movable devices comprising rightand left-handgated flanged wheels upon' which said wheel members are pressedyieldingly in such manner that the flanges admit the sheet and then bendit thereover, and comprising also rightand left-hand gated wheelshaving, an action intermittently directed against the sheet to fold itover said tongue members, said gated wheels being axled perpendicularlythereto, and being spring-pressed upon cooperating wheels; means givingsaid movable devices a timed actuation, said means comprising alaterally extending shaft having a key-seat therein, rightand lefthandtoothed wheels keyed slidingly thereon, and driving and driven toothedwheels of related dimensions connected thereto; and means for adjustingthe separation of said separable frames from a single control, saidmeans comprising a pluralityof threaded shafts, sprocket wheels attachedthereon, and a chain connecting the sprocket wheels to rotatesynchronously.

17. In a folding machine, in combination: a forming member over which asheet may be bent to make a fold therein; an operable folding memberadapted to engage against the sheet to bend or fold it thereover; meansfor giving the folding member a timed actuation; and. timed means foradvancing 'thesheet to be folded into the control of the folding memberfor folding thereby.

18. Ina folding machine, in combination, a forming member and a foldingmember, the forming member having an edge over which a sheet may befolded and along which the folded sheet may be moved for discharging,and the folding member being adapted to foldthe sheet thereover; meansfor giving one of said members a timed movement adapted to cause thefolding of the sheet by the folding member; means for advancing thesheet to be folded into the control of said members; and means effectiveto discharge the folded sheet from said control.

19. In a folding machine, in combination: a forming member havingparallel edges over which a sheet may be bent in parallel folds; foldingdevices adapted to engage against the sheet to bend or fold itthereover; means for giving the folding devices a timed actuation; andmeans for advancing the sheet to be folded into the control of thefolding devices for folding thereby.

20. In a folding machine, in combination: a forming member havingparallel edges over which a sheet may be bent in parallel folds andalong which the folded sheet may be moved for discharging; foldingdevices adapted to bend or fold the sheet thereover; means for givingsaid folding devices a timed movement; means for entering the sheet tobe folded into the control of said devices; and means for dischargingthe folded sheet from said control.

21. In a folding machine, in combination: a forming member havingseparable edges over which a sheet may be bent in parallel folds;folding devices adapted to bend or fold the sheet thereover; means forgiving the said devices a timed actuation; and means for entering thesheet into the control thereof for folding thereby.

22. In a folding machine, in combination: cooperating revolvablemembers, one thereof gated, said members adapted to flatten alongitudinally entered fold in a sheet; means timing the rotation ofsaid gated member; and means adapted to enter a folded sheet for suchfold-flattening, said means so timed that the leading edge of the sheetwill be received in the aperture of the gated member to avoid its unevenretardation and the consequent distortion of the folding line.

23. In a folding? machine, in combination: cooperating spring-pressedwheels adapted to flatten a fold entered longitudinally between them,one thereof gated: means adapted to enter a folded sheet for suchfold-flattening; and means timing the gated wheel to receive the leadingedge of such sheet in the aperture or gateway of the same, to avoid itsuneven retardation and the consequent distortion of the folding line.

WILLIAM JONATHAN NEIDIG.

